Any options beyond NIghtlight and Ridgerest?
on 07/23/2008 19:31:46 MDT

I am a side sleeper and would like to use a closed cell instead of an inflatable like my Big Agnes Insulated Aircore. I have a Gossamer Gear Nightlight but need a little bit more padding than the 3/4". Is there anything light to add to it or another one out there than the Ridgerest because it weighs too much. Thanks.

Brett, I'm a hammock sleeper who is trying to get comfortable on the ground as well. I'm not there yet but this is my approach. I cut a sit pad from the 3/4" egg crate Nightlite. This mates with my pad of the same material when I go to bed. I position it so it's right at the small of my back. With the egg crates facing each other the sit pad does not move at all on my pad. I'm going to do what Russell suggests and laminate some additional foam to both pads. What can I say, I'm a big guy who needs a lot of padding. I also made a pot cozy that opens flat when not in use that will be part of my sleep pad system.

Eric,I do something similar when I'm on a longer trip (4 nights+). I use a GG nightlight and I am generally ok with the pad. I can get a few aches after consecutive usage of just this pad, so I take along two sections from a Thermarest ZRest pad to supplement either my hips or shoulders, depending on which part is getting sore. I'll use forest duff to help, too...

Ditto to Ross' approach for me, works great for me (and I have to say, the combo is really, really warm for the weight). Dumb question: Have you experimented flipping the NightLight's eggcrate up vs. down? People seem to prefer it one way or the other and notice significant comfort differences.